Pfenninger: Soda/pop: not good

By Dr. John L. Pfenninger

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, March 25, 2012

Most of us intuitively know that soft drinks (soda, pop) are not good for us. Recently, a 22-year study following 43,000 men was reported in the March 12 Circulation journal to confirm this intuition. It found that drinking a single can of soda everyday increased the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) 20 percent. CHD is what causes blockage of the arteries to the heart leading to heart attacks and death. The study also found that these drinks have adverse effects on lipids (blood fats), inflammatory factors, which have been shown to lead to heart disease, and many other conditions. Other studies have shown that consumption of soft drinks leads to high blood pressure, gout, metabolic syndrome, kidney disease and type-2 diabetes.

More than 90 percent of soft drinks are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Fructose is found in fruits and honey. Table sugar is composed of sucrose. Fructose intake from sugars added to foods and pop has increased dramatically over the last century. The American Heart Association recommends drinking no more than 3 cans of soda a week, but young Americans average about two cans a day. Only one in 10 U.S. teens is getting enough exercise, yet one in four has a soda every day. In another survey of 11,000 teens, two-thirds of high school students reported drinking at least one sugary beverage a day, including soda, sports drinks like Gatorade, and other sweetened beverages.

Although the study reported in Circulation did not show significant increase in heart disease with artificially sweetened drinks, many other studies, although not carried out on such a large scale, have shown that they are just as dangerous as non-diet drinks. Although they may benefit the waistline, it has been suggested that they, too, heighten the risk of heart attack and stroke. In one study of 2,600 older adults, those who drank diet soda everyday were 44 percent more likely than non-drinkers to suffer a heart attack or stroke. Some point out, however, that the people who drink diet soda may already be overweight and at risk and think that by consuming diet products they will improve their health status. Even after adjusting for these differences, however, the association still seems to be high. In another study reported in 2011, people who had diet soda everyday experienced a 61 percent higher risk of vascular events, compared to those who drank no soda whatsoever. The 2,500 people in this latter study were followed for over 10 years. In 2009, there was a report of a 67 percent greater relative risk for type-2 diabetes in those who drank diet soda daily.

The problem with diet soda is its high-intensity sweet taste which may condition drinkers to want more sugar. Fruit juice is not much better than a soft drink because it too has a high amount of natural and added sugars. If diluted with water, however, it is better than a can of soda. Water, coffee, and tea are the best things to drink.

It's interesting that high-fructose corn syrup is subsidized in the United States. Thus, pop remains relatively inexpensive and leads to higher consumption.

Most people accept the fact that they should not smoke and many efforts are being expended to eliminate smoking. Likewise, we all understand the need to exercise. It now appears appropriate to significantly cut back on sugary beverages, as well as diet drinks, if not eliminate them completely.

Dr. John L. Pfenninger's column appears on Sundays. His office, Medical Procedures Center, is located in Midland.